Herries Lodge

Updated 12 January 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Herries Lodge is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Herries Lodge is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time observing staff interacting with people. We spoke with 7 people who used the service and 2 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 9 members of staff including the registered manager, team leaders and care staff. We reviewed a range of documentation. This included 4 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 12 January 2023

About the service

Herries Lodge is a care home providing personal care for to up to 47 people. Some people using the service were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 45 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Risks associated with people’s care were identified and managed to keep people safe. Accidents and incidents were monitored, and trends and patterns identified to mitigate future risks. People received their medicines as prescribed by staff who were competent in the safe handling of medicines. Maintenance of the building and equipment took place at regular intervals to ensure safety. We saw there were enough staff to respond to people’s needs in a timely way.

A pre-admission assessment form was in place which looked at all aspects of care and where support was required. It also detailed people's preferences. We saw some supervision sessions and performance reviews had taken place. There was no tracker in place for staff supervision, but the registered manager had identified this and had put this on their action plan to be addressed.

We observed lunch being served and found people were offered choices and their preferences were acknowledged. There was appropriate signage around the service and a menu was displayed on the notice board along with activities and photographs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

We observed staff interacting with people and found they were kind, caring and considerate. People and relatives, we spoke with were complimentary about the care they received.

The provider and the management team were dedicated in providing person-centred care which met people's needs and ensured their choices were respected.

Several audits were in place and the registered manager ensured any actions were addressed and used to improve the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 6 May 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 7 September 2018.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.